Ash receiver



Jan, 12, 1937. E. F. MCDONALD 2,067,406

ASH RECEIVER Filed NOV. 5, 1934 Patented Jan. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention. relates to smokers appliances and particularly to an ash receiver.

The present invention provides an improved, yet simple, ash receiver in which a receptaole is provided with an opening at the top normally closed by a pair of plate sections mounted in the receptacle for rocking movement, one of the sections being provided with an actuating member adapted to engage the other section in operation for actuating both sections and rocking them into an open position for discharging refuse into the receptacle. The actuating member for the pair of sections is fixed to one section and formed with a curved portion to engage the surface of the other section for rocking the other section in the rocking movement of the first section.

- This member projects above the section into a convenient position for normal actuation and may be formed with other portions adapted to the sections in the closed position.

The invention comprehends the provision of a receptacle structure having a detachable top member provided with 2. depending inner wall portion defining the opening into the receptacle and forming a means for supporting the pair of plate sections normally closing this opening. The plate sections and the depending wall portion on the top member cooperate to provide a shallow tray in the top of the receptacle for receiving and supporting cigarettes, cigars and the like and receiving the ashes. The actuating member is projected upwardly from one of these sections and upon operation rocks the plate sections in opposite directions so as to discharge the contents of the tray portion at the top into the receptacle. The actuating member for the plate sections may be made in various sizes and shapes for enhancing the appearance of the receptacle which in numerous instances improves the emciency as well as enhancing the appearance of Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the addition of resilient means to the receptacle structure for normally moving the plate sections into closed position.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross section similar to Fig. 3 looking upwardly at the bottom of the plate sections in open position and showing the operatingspring for moving the plate sections to closed position.

The ash receiver comprises a receptacle having side Wall portion 1 formed of a tubular sheet metal section provided with a bottom wall 2 secured to the sides I in any suitable manner. While the structure is shown in the form of a cylindrical receptacle, it may be made in any other desired shape. The sheet metal used to form the side wall portion I is formed at the upper edge of the receptacle to provide an inwardly extending flange 3 defining the opening in the upper end of the receptacle and at diametrically opposite points this flange is provided with cut-out portions 4. A top member 5 formed of sheet metal is mounted on flange 3 and has an annular top flange 6 seated on top of flange 3 and at the inner edge is formed a depending wall portion 1 extending through the opening in flange 3 into the receptacle. Wall portion 1 is formed with an inturned edge forming a seat 8 around the opening through the top member. Projections 9 are formed in depending wall portion I at diametrically opposite points to project outwardly for the purpose of engaging under the inner edge of flange 3 to lock the top member on the receptacle.

The top member may be engaged and disengaged from the receptacle by turning until the projecting portions register with cut-out portions 4 in flange 3.

A pair of plate sections [0 and II respectively, formed of sheet metal, are arranged to provide a closure for the opening into the receptacle through the top member. In the shape of the receptacle as illustrated in the drawing, these plate members are made in semi-circular form, each having one straight edge arranged in abutting relation when the plate members are in their closed position as illustrated in Fig. 1. In this closed position the plate members are in substantially co -p1anar relation so as to cooperate to close the opening in the top member. The circular margins of plate sections I0 and II are adapted to rest on seat 8 at the lower end of depending wall portion 1.

These plate sections are formed with projections I2. The axis of projections l2 on each plate section is parallel to the straight edge of the section and spaced from said straight edge in the structure as illustrated about one-half inch. These projections 12 extend through openings I3 in the bottom portion of depending wall portion 1 and mount the plate sections in the top member for rocking movement. The axis on which each plate section rocks is in spaced parallel relation to the axis of the other plate section and about an inch apart as clearly illustrated in the drawing and so arranged that when the plate sections are in co-planar relation, the straight edges will abut one another and close the opening in the top member. These plate sections are located in their closed position at the lower end of depending wall portion I, resting" on seat 8.

An actuating member I4 is mounted on the upper face of section I I) as illustrated in the drawing by means of suitable screws or the like I5.-

ber I4 overhangs the adjacent edge of section I I.

A handle portion H on the actuating member maybe manually engaged for rocking plate I 0 on its pivots or projections I2 so as to tipthe plate from the position shown in Fig. 1 tothe.

position shown in Fig. 2. Simultaneous with this tipping movement of section III rounded portion I5 of actuating member I4 will engage the adjacent portion of section II on its upper face and at a point adjacent to the straight edge. As actuating member I4 is rocked from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2 this rounded portion It will cause section II to rock on its pivots I2 in a direction opposite to section II] and into the position shown in Fig. 2. A corresponding amount of rocking motion of section II is obtained in the operation of actuating member I4 to the rocking of section I0 50- that in any position both sections are tilted approximately the same amount as clearly illustrated by the position of the sections IE] and II in Fig. 2.

As soon as pressure on actuating member I4 is released the parts will return from the position of Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. l where the opening in the top member will be closed. This'return movement is obtained by gravitational action due to the weight of the members In and II along their semi-circular edges being greater than the weight on the opposite side of the axis formed by projections I2 and along the straight edge. The actuating member secured to section II) does not hinder the return movement of sections I0 and I .I to the normal closed position but assists to make the movement of both sections uniform. For the purpose of returning plate sections I0 and II to the normal closed position faster than their own weight can provide, these sections may be provided at points on the semi-circular edge portion outermost from the pivot axis, with weights I8. These weights are also found to aid in deadening the noise produced by the plates engaging seat 8 as they move into closed position. In this way the operation of the plates is made quiet. This quieting of the operation of the plates may also be improved by coating the under faces of the plates with any suitable composition or by other suitable means designed for the purpose.

Actuating member I4 in the form illustrated in the drawing has a configuration simulating a duck and handle portion [1' forms the ducks head and is provided with a projection I9 forming the ducks bill that acts as a stop to engage plate section II when the parts are moved into the position of Fig. 2. The tilting movement of plate sections I0 and II in opposite directions is therefore limited.

The tilting of the plates sufiiciently to dump ashes, cigarettes, etc. deposited on the top of the plate sections into the receptacle is secured in a simple and convenient manner by member I4. Cigarette and cigar stubs may be deposited in the receptacle when the plates are in the open position of Fig. 2 either between the plates or on the outside of the plates through the opening in the top member on either side of the outer edges of the sections as shown in Fig. 2. 7

'It may be desirable instead of operating plate sections Ill and by means'of weights I8, to provide other means of positively rocking the plates from the open position to the closedposition. In Figs. 4; and 5 thetop member shownprovided with a leaf spring 23 secured in any suitable manner as indicated at 2I to depending wall portion I while the opposite end 22 is engaged with the under side of plate section I I adjacent to the straight edge portion and immediately under the portion engaged by curved portion Iii of actuating member I 4' as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. This spring presses upwardly and serves to actuate both sections I6 and II, as its actuation of section II causes the upper face of section II to engage curved portion I6 of actuating member I4 and through the medium of the actuating member rocks section I9 on its pivot toward and into closed position. Spring 2i will effectively and normally retain sections I0 and I I in closed position until actuating member 14 is manually engaged to actuate said plate sections into the open Annular portion 6 of top member 5 is provided at23 with a concave seat portion to provide a rest for cigarette or cigar. While only one of these rests or seat portions 23 is illustrated, more may be providedif desired at spaced intervals around annular portion 6.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that an exceedingly simple ash receiver has been provided by this invention that will con tain and conceal ashes, stubs and other refuse. The actuating member I4 provides a means in combination with sections IE3 and I I for providing a closure for the open upper end of the receptacle that may be readily rocked into open position while actuating member I4 may be formed in any desired shape that is found useful for performing its purpose of actuating both sections II] and II simultaneously.

For example, the actuating member I4 may be formed in the shape of a disc, providing a curved portion I6 overhanging plate section I I, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The'disc is mounted and operated in exactly the same manner as the actuating member I4. The tilting movement of sections III and II in opposite directions, in this instance, is limited by providing the disc with a diameter slightly greater than the distance between the pivots I2 on plate sections Ill and II.

Actuating member I4 not only provides means for conveniently rocking sections II] and II simultaneously but also for limiting theirrocking movement in one'direction, andpreventing the closing of plate section II without the closing of section II). It further provides for convenient actuation of both plate sections l and II from the open to the closed position by any suitable means actuating plate section I l.

Sections It and II further cooperate in their location at the bottom of wall portion 1 with this wall portion and the top member to provide a tray at the top of the receptacle adapted to support cigarettes and cigars while they are being smoked either in the rest 23 or by laying the cigarettes or cigars on top of plate sections II] or I i and letting a portion overhang annular portion 6. This tray receives ash-es wiped from the ends of cigarettes or cigars, the inner edge of top member 5' at the upper end of wall portion 1 serving as a suitable wiping edge for this purpose. Ashes and stubs are readily dumped by actuating member I4 in the manner above described and as a result a simple but efi'icient ash receptacle is provided that is economical to manufacture and efficient in operation.

The invention claimed is:

1. An ash receiver comprising a receptacle formed with an opening and a closure for said opening having a pair of sections, means mounting said sections for rocking movement, and a handle member mounted on one of said sections adapted for manual engagement to rock said section having a protuberance formed to engage the surface of and rock the other section.

2. An ash receiver comprising a receptacle formed with an opening and a closure for said opening having a pair of sections, means mounting said sections for rocking movement, and an actuating handle member fixed on one section and formed with a projecting marginal portion spaced from the portion secured to the first mentioned section for cooperative engagement with the surface of the other section for rocking said sections when said member is manually engaged and actuated.

3. An ash receiver comprising a receptacle formed with an opening and a closure for said opening having a pair of sections, means mounting said sections for rocking movement, an actuating member fixed on one section and formed with a peripheral portion spaced from the portion engaging said section for cooperative engagement with an adjacent surface of the other section for rocking said sections when said member is manually engaged and actuated, and means on said actuating member to engage said other section and limit said rocking movement.

4. An ash receiver, comprising a receptacle formed with an opening and a closure for said opening having a pair of sections, means mounting said sections for rocking movement, and an actuating member fixed on one section and formed to engage the other section for rocking said sections in the actuation thereof, said actuating member being formed for cooperation with said sections to limit said rocking movement.

5. An ash receiver, comprising a receptacle open at the top, a pair of sections mounted in the top of said receptacle for rocking movement, said sections normally cooperating to close the opening in the top of said receptacle, and an actuating handle member mounted on and projecting upwardly from one section and formed to engage the surface of the other section for rocking both sections in the actuation thereof to open position for discharging refuse into said receptacle.

6. An ash receiver, comprising a receptacle, a top member mounted on said receptacle having an inner depending wall portion formed with a seat at the lower end defining an opening, a pair of plate sections normally cooperating in substantially co-planar relation to close said opening with the marginal portions engaged with said seat, said sections having extensions cooperating with said depending wall portion mounting said sections in the lower end of said wall portion for rocking movement and an actuating member fixed on top of one of said sections operable to engage and actuate the other section whereby both sections may be manually rocked to open position by operating said actuating member.

7. An ash receiver, comprising a receptacle, a top member on said receptacle having an inner depending wall portion defining an opening, a pair of plate sections mounted for rocking movement in the lower portion of said depending Wall, said sections normally resting in'co-planar relation and closing said opening, said sections and wall portion cooperating to form a tray portion at the top of said receptacle, and a member mounted on one section adapted to engage the other section and projecting above the top of said receptacle for manual actuation to rock said sections and discharge the contents of said tray section into said receptacle.

8. An ash receiver, comprising a receptacle having an opening and a closure for said opening having a pair of coplanar sections, means mounting said sections for rocking movement, and a member mounted on one of said sections formed with a curved portion for engaging the surface of the other section whereby actuation of said member rocks both sections.

9. An ash receiver, comprising a receptacle having an opening and a closure for said opening having a pair of sections, means mounting said sections for rocking movement, and a member mounted on one section having a curved portion for engaging and operating the other section in the actuation of said member, said member being adapted for manual operation to rock both sections, and another portion of said member cooperating with said other section for limiting rocking movement of said sections.

10. An ash receiver comprising a receptacle having an opening and a closure for said opening having a pair of sections, means mounting said sections for rocking movement, an actuating handle member fixed on one section and formed for cooperative engagement with the sur face of the other section for rocking both sections in opposite directions when manually engaged and actuated, and means for normally and positively actuating said sections in the opposite direction.

11. An ash receiver comprising a receptacle having an opening and a closure for said opening having a pair of sections, means mounting said sections in coplanar relation for rocking movement, an actuating member fixed on one section formed to engage the surface of the other section for rocking both sections in opposite directions in the actuation thereof, and resilient means for normally actuating said sections in the opposite direction into cooperative co-planar relation.

EDWARD F. MCDONALD. 

